Editing Drug test (section)

==Detection periods==
The detection windows depend upon multiple factors: drug class, amount and frequency of use, metabolic rate, body mass, age, overall health, and urine pH. For ease of use, the detection times of [[metabolite]]s have been incorporated into each parent drug. For example, heroin and cocaine can only be detected for a few hours after use, but their metabolites can be detected for several days in urine. The chart depicts the longer detection times of the metabolites. In the case of hair testing, the metabolytes are permanently embedded into hair, and the detection time is determined by the length of the hair sample used in the analysis. The standard length of head hair used in the test is 1.5", which corresponds to about 3 months. Body/pubic hair grows slower, and the same  1.5" would result in a longer detection time.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Usman |first1=Muhammad |last2=Naseer |first2=Abid |last3=Baig |first3=Yawar |last4=Jamshaid |first4=Tahir |last5=Shahwar |first5=Muhammad |last6=Khurshuid |first6=Shazia |date=2019-04-27 |title=Forensic toxicological analysis of hair: a review |journal=Egyptian Journal of Forensic Sciences |language=en |volume=9 |issue=1 |pages=17 |doi=10.1186/s41935-019-0119-5 |issn=2090-5939|doi-access=free }}</ref>

Oral fluid or [[saliva testing]] results for the most part mimic that of blood. The only exceptions are THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and benzodiazepines. Oral fluid will likely detect THC from ingestion up to a maximum period of 6–12 hours. This continues to cause difficulty in oral fluid detection of THC and benzodiazepines.<ref name="j368">{{cite report| last1=Lacey | first1=John  | last2=Kelley-Baker| first2=Tara | last3=Furr-Holden| first3=Debra | last4=Brainard| first4=Katharine | last5=Moore| first5= Christine | title=Pilot Test of New Roadside Survey Methodology for Impaired Driving | date=January 2007 | publisher=
United States National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | doi=10.21949/1525562 |url=https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/1775 | access-date=2024-08-10 | page=}}</ref>

Breath air for the most part mimics blood tests as well. Due to the very low levels of substances in the breath air, liquid chromatography—mass spectrometry has to be used to analyze the sample according to a recent publication wherein 12 analytes were investigated.

Rapid oral fluid products are not approved for use in workplace drug testing programs and are not FDA cleared. Using rapid oral fluid drug tests in the workplace is prohibited in only:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.singlesourceservices.com/drug-test-kits/Statebystatelaw_800059vA_0611.pdf|title=Drug Testing - State by State Legal Status|publisher=Alere Toxicology|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140125024950/http://www.singlesourceservices.com/drug-test-kits/Statebystatelaw_800059vA_0611.pdf|archive-date=January 25, 2014|url-status=dead|access-date=2013-02-21|df=mdy}}</ref>
* [[California]]
* [[Kansas]]
* [[Maine]]
* [[Minnesota]]
* [[New York (state)|New York]]
* [[Vermont]]

The following chart gives approximate detection periods for each substance by test type.

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Approximate values for detection periods
! Substance !! Urine !! Hair !! Blood / Oral Fluid
|-
! [[alcohol (drug)|Alcohol]]
|  6–24 hours<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.erowid.org/chemicals/alcohol/alcohol_testing.shtml|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081020223534/http://www.erowid.org/chemicals/alcohol/alcohol_testing.shtml|url-status=dead|title=Erowid Alcohol Vault : Drug Testing|archivedate=October 20, 2008|website=www.erowid.org}}</ref> Note:  Alcohol tests may measure [[ethyl glucuronide]], which can stay in urine for up to 80 hours|| up to 90 days<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.psychemedics.com/hair-alcohol-testing/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160623043846/http://www.psychemedics.com/hair-alcohol-testing/|url-status=dead|title=Hair Alcohol Testing (EtG)|archivedate=June 23, 2016}}</ref> || 12 to 24 hours
|-
! [[Amphetamines]] (except methamphetamine)
| 1 to 4 days<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.erowid.org/chemicals/amphetamines/amphetamines_testing.shtml|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081020223250/https://www.erowid.org/chemicals/amphetamines/amphetamines_testing.shtml|url-status=dead|title=Erowid Amphetamine Vault : Drug Testing|archivedate=October 20, 2008|website=www.erowid.org}}</ref> || up to 90 days || 12 hours
|-
! [[Methamphetamine]]
| 5 days- up to a week<ref name="erowid.org">{{Cite web|url=https://www.erowid.org/chemicals/meth/meth_testing.shtml|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081020223535/http://www.erowid.org/chemicals/meth/meth_testing.shtml|url-status=dead|title=Erowid Methamphetamine Vault : Drug Testing|archivedate=October 20, 2008|website=www.erowid.org}}</ref> || up to 90 days || 1 to 3 days<ref name="erowid.org"/>
|-
! [[MDMA]] (Ecstasy)
| 3 to 5 days || up to 90 days || 3 to 4 days
|-
! [[Barbiturates]] (except phenobarbital)
| 1–4 days or 2–3 weeks || up to 90 days || 1 to 2 days
|-
! [[Phenobarbital]]
| 2 to 3 weeks<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.erowid.org/chemicals/barbiturates/barbiturates_testing.shtml|title=Erowid Barbiturates Vault : Drug Testing|website=www.erowid.org}}</ref> || up to 90 days || 4 to 7 days
|-
! [[Benzodiazepines]]
| Therapeutic use: up to 7 days. Chronic use (over one year): 4 to 6 weeks || up to 90 days || 6 to 48 hours
|-
! [[Cannabis (drug)|Cannabis]]
|Passive inhalation: up to 22 minutes** {{br}} Infrequent users: 7–10 Days {{br}} Heavy users: 30 to 100 days<ref name="ReferenceA">{{Cite web|url=https://www.erowid.org/plants/cannabis/cannabis_testing.shtml|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160902015634/https://www.erowid.org/plants/cannabis/cannabis_testing.shtml|url-status=dead|title=Erowid Cannabis (Marijuana) Vault : Drug Testing|archivedate=September 2, 2016|website=www.erowid.org}}</ref><ref name="ReferenceA2">{{Cite web|url=https://norml.org/news/2006/02/23/marijuana-detection-time-shorter-than-previously-assumed/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160902123050/http://norml.org/news/2006/02/23/marijuana-detection-time-shorter-than-previously-assumed|url-status=dead|title=Marijuana Detection Time Shorter Than Previously Assumed|date=February 23, 2006|archivedate=September 2, 2016|website=NORML}}</ref><ref name="thec_Howl">{{Cite web| title = How long does weed stay in your system?| author = Susan Squibb| work = The Cannabist| date = 2016-03-09| access-date = 2016-05-25|url=http://www.thecannabist.co/2016/03/09/how-long-does-weed-stay-in-your-system/48677/| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160311104929/http://www.thecannabist.co/2016/03/09/how-long-does-weed-stay-in-your-system/48677/| url-status = dead| archive-date = 2016-03-11}}
</ref> || up to 90 days<ref name="ReferenceA"/> || 2 to 3 days in blood of infrequent users, up to 2 weeks in blood of heavy users<ref name="ReferenceA"/>  However, it depends on whether actual THC or THC metabolites are being tested for, the latter having a much longer detection time than the former. THC (found in marijuana) may only be detectable in saliva/oral fluid for 2 to 24 hours in most cases, though in rare cases has been detected up to 28 days after consumption.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Lee |first1=Dayong |title=Current Knowledge on Cannabinoids in Oral Fluid |journal=Drug Testing and Analysis |volume=6 |issue=1–2 |pages=88–111 |pmc=4532432 |year=2013 |pmid=23983217 |doi=10.1002/dta.1514 }}</ref>
|-
! [[Cocaine]]
| 2 to 4 days<ref name="pmid28325505"/> (with exceptions for heavy users who can test positive up to 4/6 weeks, and individuals with certain kidney disorders)  || up to 90 days || 2–10 days, heavy users or individuals with previous substance use 6/8 weeks
|-
! [[Codeine]]
| 2 to 3 days
|up to 90 days
|1 to 4 days
|-
! [[Cotinine]] (a breakdown product of [[nicotine]])
| 2 to 4 days || up to 90 days || 2 to 4 days
|-
! [[Morphine]]
| 2 to 3 days<ref name="pmid28325505">{{cite journal |vauthors=Moeller KE, Kissack JC, Atayee RS, Lee KC |title=Clinical Interpretation of Urine Drug Tests: What Clinicians Need to Know About Urine Drug Screens |journal=Mayo Clinic Proceedings |volume=92 |issue=5 |pages=774–796 |date=May 2017 |pmid=28325505 |doi=10.1016/j.mayocp.2016.12.007 |url=https://www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/article/S0025-6196(16)30825-4/fulltext}}</ref> || up to 90 days || 1 to 3 days
|-
! [[Tricyclic antidepressants]] (TCA's)
| 7 to 10 days ||  || Detectable but dose relationship not established.
|-
! [[LSD]]
|1–4 days (including metabolites) || up to 90 days<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Richeval |first1=Camille |last2=Allorge |first2=Delphine |last3=Vanhoye |first3=Xavier |last4=Gaulier |first4=Jean-Michel |year=2017 |title=LSD Detection and Interpretation in Hair |url=https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28641537/ |journal=Current Pharmaceutical Design |volume=23 |issue=36 |pages=5496–5501 |doi=10.2174/1381612823666170622102943 |issn=1873-4286 |pmid=28641537}}</ref>|| 2 to 4 days
|-
! [[Methadone]]
| 3 days<ref name="pmid28325505"/> || up to 90 days|| 24 hours
|-
! [[Steroids]]
| 3 to 30 days  || ||
|-
! [[Phencyclidine|PCP]]
| 3 to 7 days for single use; up to 30 days in chronic users<ref name="ReferenceB">{{Cite web|url=https://www.erowid.org/chemicals/pcp/pcp_testing.shtml|title=Erowid PCP Vault : Drug Testing|website=www.erowid.org}}</ref> || up to 90 days || 1 to 3 days<ref name="ReferenceB" />
|}